CHICAGO -- Attorney General John Ashcroft told the American Bar Association that President Bush's judicial nominees would display a "respect for the law," unlike judges he didn't name, who he said "manufactured 'rights' " for criminals and issued other decisions "usurping the legislative function."

Separately, the ABA, meeting here for its annual convention, rejected further changes to its ethics guidelines that would allow lawyers to reveal clients they believe are intent on committing financial...